Kasteel Ammersoyen

Thanks to the film, A Knight’s Tale, I actually thought the Dutch Province of Gelderland was fictitious. It turns out that not only is it a real place, but it has a variety of medieval castles worthy of the film itself. I’d ventured into this eastern Dutch province for a day of cycling – Gelderland is the largest, least populated of all Dutch provinces, and makes for good cycling. First on my list of stops was the magnificent Kasteel Ammersoyen, a classic medieval moated Dutch castle that, after extensive renovations in the late 20th century, is now considered one of the best preserved castles in the Netherlands.

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

This itself is somewhat miraculous. The castle was built in the 1350s and has managed to survive over 700 years of turbulent European history. At different time the castle was fought over by Burgundian forces in the Hundred Years’ War, Spanish armies during the Dutch struggle for independence, and Napoleon’s troops laid siege to it as well. The castle was severely damaged by fire in the 16th century, but Allied bombing raids during the Second World War – a war in which it was ill-equipped to participate – did far more damage.

Today, it sits peacefully on the edge of the small village of Ammerzoden, close to the River Meuse. The river has been a major trade route for centuries, and explains the castle’s existence. Surrounded by water, the castle has four round defensive towers, and a central courtyard. From the outside it seems pretty compact, this is deceptive as the interior is remarkably spacious, despite all the small narrow staircases you have to navigate to access parts of the building.

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

I’d arrived early, too early for the castle to be open, but luckily for me there was other entertainment on offer. The somewhat odd sight of a couple of dozen people dressed in medieval clothing and playing period instruments. This, it turned out, was a troupe of performers who do medieval recreations around the country, and who’d be practicing various crafts, musical recitals and combat techniques during the day. First though the troupe was warming up with a group photo in front of the castle. They stay in character during the visit, so I think I can forgive them the pre-opening use of a camera.

It was an entertaining visit, especially when I was co-opted into trying out replicas of a medieval mace and sword. I spent some time listening to some traditional music in the kitchens, before exploring the rest of the castle. A tour which I assume took me into a room in one of the towers that is reputedly haunted by a Lady in Blue. Several people have made claims that they have seen or ‘felt’ her presence, including a couple of the castle’s staff. One person has described feeling ‘uncomfortable’ in the room where the ghost is supposed to live.

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Kasteel Ammersoyen, Gelderland, Netherlands

Who am I to doubt the claims of someone who felt uncomfortable in a room, but this paranormal activity seems based on little historical evidence. No one I asked knew who the Lady in Blue was, I put the sightings down to wild imaginings of fanciful minds. Still, after this close encounter with the spirit world, I hopped back on my bike and set off for my next destination, the lovely medieval town of Heusden. There was a ferry across the River Meuse, which turned out to be free, as I crossed the midway point in the river I left Gelderland and entered North Brabant. Soon I’d arrived at the fortified outskirts of Heusden…

Why camelids?

After more than a decade in London it seemed like time to do something completely different, and with the support of our friends in Bolivia we hatched a plan to move to this high altitude Andean nation for a year (maybe more)...

The view from Camelids

Cartagena, Colombia

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Bolivian South West

Fiesta in San Ignacio, Bolivia

Tuareg on camels, Festival au Désert, Mali, Africa

Tuareg on camels, Festival au Désert, Mali, Africa

Fiesta, Sucre, Bolivia

Starfish, San Blas Islands, Panama

Glorious Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

A priest near Debre Damo Monastery, Ethiopia, Africa

Oasis of Huacachina, Peru

The beautiful San Blas Islands, Panama

Parque Nacional de Tres Cruses, Chiue

Dogon man smokes a pipe, Dogon Country, Mali, Africa

Priest with Ethiopian Orthodox cross, Lalibela, Ethiopia, Africa

The Fiesta de Virgen de Guadalupe, Sucre, Bolivia

Salinas Grandes, Argentina

Three-toed Sloth, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Sunset, Rio Tuichi, Amazon, Bolivia

Church in the colours of the Ethiopian flag, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Africa

Leggy street art in Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama

The idyllic Pearl Keys, Nicaragua

Fiesta in Cuzco, Peru

Siloli Desert, Bolivia

Mano del Desierto, Chile

Restaurant in La Candelaria, Bogota, Colombia

Tattoos, Whitecross Street Party, London, England

Young girl near Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Africa

Sunset from Moyogalpa, Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua

A campesino woman poses for a photo in Tarabuco, Sucre, Bolivia

Fishermen and fish on the beach at Vila do Maio, Maio, Cape Verde (photo from Maio Facebook page)

COPYRIGHT

Please get in touch if you would like to use any of the images or blog posts.

DISCLAIMER

This is my blog. The thoughts on these pages are my personal views and opinions. They’re not representative of anyone else’s opinion, nor should they be ascribed to any organizations with which I’m associated.

Except when intentional, nothing written here is intended to offend. I consider the things I’ve written to be accurate, but making mistakes is part of the human condition and I’m human.

It is not my intention to do harm. Nor is it my intention to libel, defame or malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company or individual, especially those that have the resources and desire to pursue a grievance. I accept no responsibility for any harm or good that comes from following any suggestions made in these pages.